The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowships 2027–2028 are now accepting applications from scientists, writers, scholars, public intellectuals, and artists seeking a year dedicated to ambitious research, creative work, or interdisciplinary projects at Harvard University.
Offered by the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, the fellowship provides selected fellows with the opportunity to spend a full academic year in an interdisciplinary environment while making use of the intellectual and research resources of Harvard University.
The programme welcomes innovative projects addressing important social, scientific and policy questions, particularly proposals that can engage audiences beyond traditional academic settings.
For the 2027–2028 fellowship cycle, applicants in the humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism must submit their applications by September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Applicants in science, engineering, and mathematics have until October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
Harvard Radcliffe Fellowships 2027–2028: Quick Facts
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship |
| Institution | Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University |
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA |
| Fellowship period | 2027–2028 academic year |
| Eligible fields | Humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction, journalism, science, engineering and mathematics |
| Applicants | Scholars, scientists, writers, artists and public intellectuals |
| Humanities/Social Sciences deadline | September 10, 2026, 5:00 PM ET |
| STEM deadline | October 1, 2026, 5:00 PM ET |
| Project proposal | 1,400 words |
| References | Three |
| Application | Online |
What Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?
The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship is an academic and creative fellowship hosted by the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. It gives fellows dedicated time to work on significant projects in an interdisciplinary community.
Unlike a conventional degree programme, the fellowship is designed around an applicant’s proposed project. Fellows are able to pursue ambitious work while interacting with researchers, artists, writers and other members of the Radcliffe community.
The Institute particularly welcomes projects that confront pressing social, scientific and policy issues and that have the potential to reach audiences outside academia.
The programme also welcomes, although does not restrict eligibility to, projects concerning women, gender and society or projects that make use of the collections of the Schlesinger Library.
2027–2028 Fellowship Focus Areas
The Harvard Radcliffe Institute has identified several areas of particular interest for the current fellowship programme.
One important focus is academic freedom and connecting across difference, which is the Institute’s multiyear focus area for 2024–2029.
Applicants may submit projects addressing subjects such as:
- Intellectual freedom and open inquiry
- Diversity of thought
- Political polarization
- Inequality
- Religious pluralism
- Religion and public life
- Higher education policy
- Constructive challenges to disciplinary orthodoxies
- New and potentially transformative perspectives
Radcliffe is also inviting proposals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics that have been directly affected by federal research funding cuts.
These focus areas do not mean that applicants must restrict their proposals to a single topic. The Institute continues to accept applications across a broad range of disciplines.
Who Can Apply for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowships?
The fellowship is open to applicants across a variety of professional and academic backgrounds.
Eligible applicants can include:
- Scientists
- Scholars
- Writers
- Artists
- Public intellectuals
- Journalists and nonfiction writers
- Researchers working in science, engineering, and mathematics
Applicants can come from different career stages, and academics do not need to have tenure to apply.
However, the fellowship is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship. Individuals who are currently enrolled in a degree programme are also ineligible.
Former Harvard Radcliffe Fellows from 1999 onward are not eligible to apply again.
Applicants should also review the discipline-specific eligibility requirements because requirements can vary depending on the area of application.
What Projects Does Radcliffe Look For?
The Institute seeks proposals for innovative and ambitious projects.
A successful proposal should demonstrate that the applicant has a clearly defined project that can benefit from the time, intellectual environment and interdisciplinary setting offered by the fellowship.
Projects may address major questions in society, science, policy, culture, technology or the arts.
Radcliffe particularly encourages projects that can generate meaningful conversations beyond a narrow academic audience.
This makes the fellowship potentially valuable for researchers and creators who want to develop work that has broader intellectual, cultural, or public significance.
Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Application Requirements
Applicants must submit all required materials through the online fellowship application portal.
The application consists of several important components.
1. Application Form
Applicants must complete the online application form and select the appropriate application area.
The available areas include:
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Creative Arts
- Nonfiction and Journalism
- Science, Engineering and Mathematics
2. Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must provide a CV outlining their academic, professional, research, or creative background.
The CV should help reviewers understand the applicant’s accomplishments and preparation for the proposed project.
3. 1,400-Word Project Proposal
The project proposal is a central part of the application.
Applicants must submit a proposal of approximately 1,400 words, with a bibliography where appropriate.
The proposal should clearly communicate what the applicant intends to accomplish during the fellowship and why the project is significant.
4. Writing or Work Sample
Applicants must submit an appropriate writing sample or work sample supporting their application.
The type of sample required can depend on the applicant’s discipline and proposed project.
5. Three References
Applicants must provide contact information for three references.
The references will receive instructions by email to upload letters of recommendation supporting the applicant’s fellowship application.
Applicants should therefore identify appropriate referees well before the deadline.
Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Deadlines 2027–2028
The application deadlines depend on the applicant’s field.
Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts, Nonfiction and Journalism
Deadline: September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their applications because the application includes multiple components, including references and a substantial project proposal.
How to Apply for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowships 2027–2028
Interested applicants can apply through the official Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship application portal.
The basic process is:
- Review the discipline-specific eligibility requirements.
- Determine the appropriate application area.
- Create an account on the Radcliffe application system.
- Prepare your CV.
- Develop the 1,400-word project proposal.
- Select an appropriate writing or work sample.
- Provide contact details for three references.
- Upload all required materials.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit before the relevant deadline.
Applicants should ensure that their proposed project is clearly articulated and that all supporting materials reinforce the central idea of the application.
What Makes a Strong Radcliffe Fellowship Application?
Because the fellowship is designed for ambitious projects, applicants should focus on demonstrating the importance, originality, and feasibility of their proposed work.
A strong application should make it easy for reviewers to understand:
- What the project is about
- Why the project matters
- What makes the proposed work innovative
- What the applicant hopes to accomplish
- Why the project is suitable for a Radcliffe fellowship
- How the project could contribute to wider intellectual or public discussions
Interdisciplinary projects can also be particularly relevant to Radcliffe’s environment, although applicants should still clearly explain the project’s central research or creative contribution.
Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Fully Funded?
The official application page confirms that the fellowship provides fellows with a full academic year at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute and access to the resources of Harvard University.
However, the application information supplied for this article does not provide the specific fellowship stipend or complete list of financial benefits.
Therefore, prospective applicants should consult Radcliffe’s official fellowship FAQ and benefit information before describing the opportunity as fully funded or claiming a specific stipend amount.
This distinction is important for applicants planning international relocation and should not be overlooked.
Do Applicants Need to Be Harvard Students?
No. The fellowship is designed for applicants from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds and is not presented as a programme exclusively for current Harvard students.
However, individuals currently enrolled in a degree programme are not eligible, and former Harvard Radcliffe Fellows from 1999 onward cannot apply.
Final Thoughts
The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowships 2027–2028 offer an opportunity for accomplished scholars, scientists, artists, writers and public intellectuals to dedicate a full academic year to ambitious projects within Harvard’s interdisciplinary environment.
The programme stands out because applicants are invited to propose their own projects, rather than applying to a narrowly defined research topic. Radcliffe is particularly interested in innovative work addressing significant social, scientific, cultural, and policy questions.
For the 2027–2028 cycle, the most important deadlines are September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET for humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism, and October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET for science, engineering and mathematics.
Applicants should begin preparing early, particularly because the application requires a detailed project proposal, CV, work sample, and three references.
Prospective applicants should review the latest eligibility and application requirements directly through the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship application information before submitting their applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?
It is a fellowship at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute that provides scientists, scholars, writers, artists, and public intellectuals with an academic year to pursue ambitious projects in an interdisciplinary environment.
When is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028 deadline?
The deadline is September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET for humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction, and journalism. The STEM deadline is October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
How long is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?
The fellowship is designed for a full academic year.
How many references are required?
Applicants must provide contact information for three references.
How long should the project proposal be?
The required project proposal is 1,400 words, with a bibliography when appropriate.
Can current students apply?
No. Individuals currently enrolled in a degree programme are ineligible.
Do applicants need to be tenured professors?
No. The programme accepts applicants across career stages and does not require academics to have tenure.
Can former Radcliffe Fellows apply again?
No. Former Harvard Radcliffe Fellows from 1999 to the present are ineligible.
Where can I apply?
Applications are submitted through the official Harvard Radcliffe Institute online fellowship application portal.
Strong SEO keywords: Harvard Radcliffe Fellowships 2027-2028, Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027, Harvard fellowships 2027, Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship, Harvard fellowships for international scholars, fully funded fellowships in USA 2027, Harvard fellowships for writers, Harvard fellowships for artists, Harvard research fellowships 2027, Harvard humanities fellowships, Harvard social sciences fellowships, Harvard STEM fellowships, Harvard science fellowship 2027, Radcliffe Fellowship application, Radcliffe Fellowship deadline 2026, Harvard fellowship application 2027, fellowships at Harvard University, international fellowships USA 2027, academic fellowships in USA, research fellowships for international scholars, Harvard fellowship for scientists, Harvard fellowship for scholars, Harvard fellowship for journalists, Harvard creative arts fellowship, Harvard interdisciplinary fellowship, Radcliffe Institute fellowship eligibility, Radcliffe Fellowship project proposal, Harvard fellowships 2027-28
ALSO CHECK
Dartmouth College DAAD Master’s Scholarships in Germany 2027: Study in Germany With Financial Support
European Fully Funded Scholarships 2027-2028: ARES International Training Scholarships for Bachelor’s and Master’s Students
IAEA Internship Jobs 2026: International Atomic Energy Agency Opportunities for Students and Young Professionals
Follow Us On Our Social Media Platforms
WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IUYDUNb8GCx4V2QqkBoiuq?mode=ems_copy_t
WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb60pjHL2ATw5rPOEw2l
Facebook Page:
